Calling all small-space gardeners! If you’ve ever wanted to grow more food without expanding your garden bed, vertical gardening might be your answer. But what is it exactly? And how does it work? Vertical gardening is the practice of training plants to grow upward instead of sprawling across the ground. It’s a space-saving technique that helps improve greater yields of higher-quality fruits or vegetables in the same amount of time. I tried it for the first time this year and was thrilled with the results. Let’s dig in!

Benefits of Vertical Gardening

As I mentioned before, vertical gardening has many benefits. One of the most significant benefits is that it allows your plants to take up less space while producing more, higher-quality fruits or vegetables. This is because vertical gardening also improves the airflow around the plants, thus improving plant health and reducing the incidence of diseases such as powdery mildew. It also prevents your precious fruits and vegetables from lying on the ground where they may be subject to rot, slugs, and other issues. This means you can harvest more fruits for your kitchen without having to sacrifice them to the garden.

Plants You Can Vertical Garden With

Keep in mind, you cannot vertical garden with just any plant. Prime candidates for vertical gardening are any climbing or vining plants. You can easily train plants such as pole beans, cucumbers, squashes, watermelons, sweet peas, peas, indeterminate tomatoes, and more. The idea is that you will be trellising vining plants upward rather than letting them sprawl on the ground.

How to Start Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardening can be very easy. You just need some kind of structure to begin with. This can take many forms. Then, you can get planting and continue to guide the new growth as needed.

Choosing a Support Structure

Start by setting up your structure in a straight line where you plan to grow. You can use fencing, latticing, or even some t-posts and string. I used the t-posts and twine. Then, direct sow your seeds or transplant at the appropriate spacing along the bottom of the structure. Keep in mind that you can often get away with closer spacing than recommended for field growing because the plants will be trained to grow upwards rather than horizontally. Whatever structure you use, you will want around 5-7 feet of vertical space, depending on the plants you are growing.

Plant Spacing and Training Tips

As the plants grow, periodically tie them to the structure to guide them upward. Some crops, like peas and beans, will grab hold of the structure with tendrils, while others may need to be gently tied. Use soft ties, string, or even twist ties; just make sure they’re loose enough not to damage the stems. Over time, your plants will get the idea and start climbing on their own.

My Experience with Vertical Gardening

Last year, I set out to grow lots of cucumbers, but space is tight and I felt that I would be limited in what I wanted to grow. So I decided to try vertical gardening to open up the space and give the plants more room to develop. I started my plants ahead of time indoors and carefully prepared them for spring transplanting. Then, when it was planting time, I drove three t-posts about four feet apart and wove thick twine vertically every four inches to create a climbing grid. I planted my cucumbers about 4-6 inches apart and waited for them to grow

The plants did not easily grow upward on their own. I had to tie them to the twine every 1-2 weeks in the beginning. Then, about 6 weeks later, the plants started doing it on their own. It was amazing! When they started bearing fruit, they were so easy to see, harvest, and keep away from pests. They would hang there, growing steadily, ready for me to get them.

I also grew a small cantaloupe variety for northern climates, and decided to give those fruits a bit of support using some pure cotton cloth I had from an old bed sheet. I made a hammock for the fruit using a few strips and tied it to the support structure. This ensured the vine didn’t get damaged as the fruit grew larger. It worked wonderfully!

Onward and Upward: Why Vertical Gardening Is Worth It

You don’t need fancy vertical planters or walls to take advantage of the space above your garden beds. A few posts, some string, and a little patience can turn even smallest growing space into a lush, productive garden. The payoff can be massive—healthier plants, cleaner, easier harvests, and more food in less space. Once you see your first cucumber or tomato hanging neatly at eye-level, you'll never want to let them sprawl again! So go ahead, look up! Think vertical.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vertical Gardening

Is vertical gardening good for beginners?

Yes. Vertical gardening is beginner-friendly and requires minimal extra equipment.

Do I need special supports for heavy fruits?

Heavier fruits like melons benefit from slings or hammocks to protect vines.

Can vertical gardening improve yields?

Yes. Better airflow and light exposure often lead to healthier plants and higher yields.

Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

I am a native of Southwestern Michigan, where I currently reside. I love all things plants! After completing a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, I found a dream work-from-home job that allows me to share my passion. Now, I spend my days writing for TLM, playing with my dog, eating delicious food with my husband, and plotting my next landscape or gardening move. I believe everyone should get down and dirty in the soil now and then. Happy Gardening!